Overview
- Reports on Tuesday say Crystal Palace are preparing a package close to £20 million that would challenge Everton’s earlier offers for Hayden Hackney.
- Everton have emerged as the player’s preferred destination and have offered about £15 million after an initial lower bid was rejected.
- Middlesbrough value Hackney at roughly £20m–£25m and have signalled they will hold out for that price rather than accept a low fee.
- Hackney has one year left on his contract and his Championship Player/Team of the Season form plus England U21 performances make a summer move likely if the asking price is met.
- Several other Premier League clubs are monitoring the situation meaning a multi-club contest could drive the fee higher and determine how Boro reinvest for their promotion push.